Local Events

Oklahoma’s emerging leaders are invited to apply for an opportunity to present the differences they’re making in their communities at NextGen Talks Oklahoma, a forum designed to shine a spotlight on the state’s rising young professionals, community organizers and business leaders on Friday, Oct. 4.

NextGen Talks Oklahoma gives individuals a platform to speak to audiences who share a similar desire to seek improvement and innovation in their communities. These events foster personal growth and connect motivated leaders through several built-in networking opportunities.

This event is open to all Oklahomans. Tickets can be purchased here.

– Andrew Aston, Jones PR

Dolese Bros. Co. will host its third annual Rock the Block, a construction-industry touch-a-truck community event, on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 14th and Broadway in Oklahoma City. The no-cost, family-friendly event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a quiet hour from 9-10 a.m. for children with noise sensitives. Children will be able to touch, climb and explore vehicles of all different sizes.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Lunch proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is hosting its third annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest Aug. 9-10 in Shawnee. Along with carnival rides, balloon launches and live performances, the Outdoor Nation Expo (O.N.E.) will be there.

O.N.E. is a collective of hunting and fishing enthusiasts from central Oklahoma who unite once a year with a mission: promote the outdoor lifestyle. Open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, O.N.E. will show visitors what it’s like to experience the outdoors.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

Looking for a local community event that offers some family fun before school begins in August? Then get ready to break out your salsa moves at La Fiesta De Tulsa.

Hosted on the QuikTrip Great Lawn in Tulsa, La Fiesta De Tulsa celebrates Latin and Hispanic cultural heritage with live music and festive food and drinks. The event promises to bring members of Latino cultures together from all across Oklahoma for an unforgettable night of festivities and celebration.

La Fiesta De Tulsa will be held on July 26. Do not miss out on the most exciting fiesta of the summer!

– Andrew Aston, Jones PR

Leading aerospace executives from around the state will gather for the second annual Oklahoma Aerospace Forum, sponsored by INTRUST Bank, on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Attendees will hear from industry leaders and discuss the current state of aerospace in Oklahoma, including MRO, Propulsion, Drones/UAS and the Oklahoma aerospace brand.

As the second largest industry in Oklahoma with an annual economic impact of $44 billion, the forum is an important event for businesses to discuss opportunities facing the sector.

Speakers and registration information will be announced soon. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Ashley Ross at ashley@jones.pr or (405) 516-9686.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

Are you looking for something to do this month in Oklahoma City and Tulsa? If so, here are a few things that you and the whole family can do.

Oklahoma City

June 15 – Asian District Market Festival

June 19 and 26 – SONIC Summer Movies at the Myriad Gardens

June 13, 20 and 27 – OKC Zoo Date Nights

Other events can be found here.

Tulsa

June 19 – Movie Night at the Gathering Place

June 29 and 30 – Garden Brothers Circus

June 29 – Tulsa Water Lantern Festival

Check out a full list here .

There’s a lot to do in our great state.

– Nicona Lane, Jones PR

Recently, thousands from across the world participated in the 24^th annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon to honor the 168 lives lost on April 19, 1995. Among those included Blake Foster who ran for the first time to honor the lives of two people he calls his inspiration – his aunt, a survivor of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing and his father, one of the first responders during that tragic day.

Foster ran with 13 fellow employees from Amazon, which was a sponsor of the race. The company will open its first Oklahoma fulfillment center this year in OKC.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

April 22 is Earth Day, and Oklahoma holds plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery:

Turner Falls Park features a 77-foot waterfall along with camping, hiking, swimming, fishing and much more.

Myriad Botanical Gardens in OKC proves that Oklahomans do not have to leave the bustling heart of the city to appreciate nature.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge protects bison, elk, prairie dogs and many other species in their natural American prairie habitat, for visitors to enjoy.

No matter where you go in Oklahoma on April 22, make time to appreciate the inspiring beauty around you.

– Andrew Aston, Jones PR

TEDxYouth@OKC, the first fully youth-operated TEDx event to come to Oklahoma, will occur on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will take place at the Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business.

The event features 20 speakers representing 17 different Oklahoma high schools. They will address topics like education, mental health, personal development and wellness. A variety of workshops about these same topics will also be available for the public to attend.

Tickets are on sale now and range in price from $10-30. Learn more about TEDx and this event.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

The Junior League of Oklahoma City is thrilled to welcome the memorable Molly Ringwald as its 2019 Speaker in the City on Sunday, March 24. Ringwald will share the experience of being an iconic child star in some of our favorite movies, like “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Pretty in Pink.” She’ll also share how she became a strong female actress, author and jazz singer.

Doors open at 1 p.m. for the conversation with Ringwald. Don’t miss out on the fun – grab your tickets today.

A Molly Ringwald film festival will also take place at the Tower Theatre.

– Kristen Giroux, Jones PR

The Redbud Classic, Oklahoma City’s oldest local racing tradition, is offering Oklahomans a way to give back to education through fun, fitness and philanthropy when signing up for the 2019 race weekend benefitting Teach for America – Oklahoma City.

The 2019 Redbud Classic features events for the whole family starting with 10-, 33- and 45-Mile Bike Tours and a 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run on Saturday, April 6. The events continue on Sunday, April 7, with 5K and 10K timed runs, 5K Wheelchair Event, 2-Mile Walk and 2-Mile Baby Stroller Derby before the annual Redbud Bash.

Register today.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

For over 25 years, Preservation Oklahoma Inc. has recognized historic sites across Oklahoma that are at risk of demolition or deterioration, while raising awareness for the need to protect our state’s historic resources. This year, 11 historic sites throughout the state will be announced as Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Historic Places of 2019. The unveiling event for the list occurs on Monday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m.

While inclusion on the list does not ensure protection or funding, it is a vital component in mobilizing support for the preservation of historic sites.

Purchase your tickets for the event today.

– Preservation Oklahoma

Take the time to remember why our country is “Home Of The Free Because Of The Brave,” and celebrate Veterans Day on Sunday, Nov. 11.

• The Wall That Heals – Nov. 8-12 at the Oklahoma History Center. See the half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that stands in Washington, D.C.

• Veterans Day Parade – Saturday, Nov. 10 in Midwest City. This event begins at 10 a.m.

• 45th Infantry Division Museum’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration – The ceremony starts at 10 a.m., and the museum will be open all day for attendees to enjoy on Monday, Nov. 12.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

Looking for fun ways to engage with interesting and relevant topics to challenge the mind? Look no further than Curiosity Fest, which takes place this Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City.

Brought to you by Oklahoma Humanities, Curiosity Fest offers 24 sessions on varied subjects including internet memes, “Game of Thrones,” the Cherokee culture, Oklahoma’s history of lynching and Harry Potter — all based on humanities scholarship.

Jad Abumrad, founder of NPR’s Radiolab, will close the day with a special program on how curiosity, often manifesting as a gut-wrenching question, leads to creative solutions.

– Chip Carter, Jones PR

Dolese will host the second annual Rock The Block, a family-friendly community event, on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 14th and Broadway in Oklahoma City. A quiet hour runs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., for children with noise sensitivities.

At the event, children can explore vehicles of all sizes from construction industry partners, the Oklahoma City Fire Department and more.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Lunch proceeds from Oct. 20 will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR

The Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO) is hosting its 24th annual Down Syndrome Festival and 5K at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 29. In addition to DSACO members and supporters, the event will feature special guest Sara Hart Weir, president and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society.

The annual festival, which promotes DSACO’s mission to raise awareness and provide resources, as well as promote acceptance for inclusion of people with Down syndrome, is open to the public and will offer complimentary parking. Register for the 5K race by Sept. 14 to guarantee a t-shirt.

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

Oktoberfest is a time for German beer, food and celebrations. With the celebration starting on Sept. 22 and running through Oct. 21, there is time to celebrate all over Oklahoma.

Eat and drink your way through Oktoberfest with these popular celebrations:

• Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Try the Das Brat burger, a German-themed burger including a brat, potato patty and Coop Oktoberfest beer pickled mustard seeds – only $10 starting Sept. 22 through Oct. 5.

• Fassler Hall: Taste the German beer including Spaten Oktoberfest, Franziskaner Hefeweizen and more.

• Linde Oktoberfest: Celebrate authentic Bavarian culture in Tulsa Oct. 18 through Oct. 21.

– Ashley Ross, Jones PR